"I want to see how far I can get": Sprints are no longer thrilling enough for Lorena Wiebes who shifts focus to Amstel

Lorena Wiebes was one of the main protagonists of the 2025 season, winning breath-taking 25 road races - enough to land her at the top of the annual UCI ranking, second only to compatriot and former teammate Demi Vollering. The Dutchwoman also secured rainbow stripes on track and in gravel, certifying herself as the best (not only) sprinter in the women's peloton.

But looking ahead, there are still races the 26-year-old desires to win. Besides her obvious goal to one day become road world champion, Wiebes also strives to succeed on home roads. More specifically, the hilly Amstel Gold Race draws her attention as the biggest Dutch race on calendar.

"I want to take on that challenge, to see how far I can get there," Wiebes told WielerFlits. "Last year I had a really good day there too (she won the sprint for sixth place, ed.). It was a strange racing situation back then, but I feel like I'm growing in that race. Racing in the Netherlands is also extra motivating, of course."

Wiebes has very little competition as sprinter. That's why she looks to expand her dominance towards Classics. "I need that challenge. That's why I'm also choosing the challenges on the track and gravel. I want some variety."

The Amstel Gold Race is "the big goal of the spring," Wiebes emphasizes. The Dutchwoman still has a score to settle at the race from 2024 when she arrived second in a sprint, defeated by Marianne Vos on the line.

"I'd say: for myself, I want athletic revenge. Compared to last year, I need to improve a few percent in terms of certain efforts. I think I'm on track there. We also do lactate tests during training camp, and that was fine. But then you also have to show it in the races," she concludes with view to the season ahead.